We Demand a Referendum Now MEP Nikki
Sinclaire will tomorrow vote against proposals which pose a danger to those
travelling by air.
Brussels are proposing changes that would allow
pilots to land a plane after going 22 hours, and sometimes 24 hours, without
sleep.
There would be fewer restrictions
on the number of early (before 7am)
starts in a row (an increase from 5 to 7) and carrying spare crew on
very long-haul flights. All of these issues, and many more besides,
show that the proposals are unsafe, and that is borne out of the fact
that the scientific evidence has been ignored by EASA.
The proposal could also see the removal of
the third pilot on long haul flights. The third pilot acts as the fully alert,
relief pilot, alleviating problems with fatigue.
In the USA, sensible pilot flight hour
regulations have been introduced, yet the EU seems to want to fly in the face
of these sensible rules.
The very same European proposals were rejected by the Transport and Tourism
Committee on Monday 30th September,
however the Commission is trying to undo this
expert committee vote by quickly forcing the proposals through the plenary session tomorrow the 9th, a day when many MEPs may not be available to vote
expert committee vote by quickly forcing the proposals through the plenary session tomorrow the 9th, a day when many MEPs may not be available to vote
Nikki Sinclaire MEP will vote to reject
proposals, and said, “I will vote AGAINST
the Commission’s proposals on Pilot Flight-time Limitations.
It is absolutely ludicrous that the
Commission are even attempting to force through cuts to flight safety, against the
advice of pilots, scientists, and two UK Parliamentary committees.''
The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) said “…the
proposals do not fully and properly reflect the scientific evidence that should
underpin fatigue management. Nor do they fully incorporate the scientific
evidence which EASA itself commissioned.”
